But For The Grace of God
I used to think that this slogan, But For The Grace of God, was demeaning. Almost a "God looked kindly at me but weren't so lucky" kind of mentality. It's taken on a new meaning now. It reminds me to check my ego and develop my empathy and compassion in a deeper, more effective way. It allows me to set aside my "go to" feelings of criticism, impatience, resentment and anger and requires me to think the situation through with a genuine interest in the other being as well as myself. If a wholehearted approach is used, everyone comes out the better. My first and, thus far, most treasured entry in the One Day at A Time book is this: My attitude toward another – whether drinking or not – can have untold influence on the life of my family. Perhaps, through long drinking years, I acquired the habit of tearing him down, showing my contempt for his actions, indignation at the neglect of obligations. I am responsible for the consequences of such attitudes. Ev...